January 5, 2011

Hi there~

Today, I want to write about frames and some more or less important things about drawing own comics (aka ‘mangas’ ). On some forums/gallery sites, i noticed that some people who are trying to make their first(or not) comic, are showing random samples and asking for the opinions or some criticism. I noticed that many of them are making some basic mistakes, so i will try to use my own experience to bring closer some things which will help you to make your comic more neat etc.

People who are more advanced in drawing comics probably know these things, but maybe you will find some helpful stuff here too ❤

-Let’s start from the paper/page. First of all there should be a margins. (i noticed that not everyone know that they are likeable XD )

It will helps you to keep your page neat, and if you’re going to print your comic, it will be helpful to avoid cut out important things like bubbles with text etc.

1,5centimetres on from the each side (for A4 paper size) is good enough.

Also well drew frames are making the comic ‘good to look’. Personally i prefer to make tight spaces between frames horizontally, and more wider vertically, like here:

And here there is some examples from my comic ‘Meago Saga’ vol.2 and ‘The Reids’. I used a lot of frames per page in the first one, in opposite to ‘The Reids’ where i’m making bigger frames, also i don’t know why i prefer to make them more wide XD

And here are some examples from some other mangas. (you also see that the frames don’t need to be separated. It’s all author’s preferences)

So now, what’s in frames? Your comic of course. But composition is very important to make the comic good to read/look and… hard :C

My personal method is trying to imagine that the story i’m trying to draw is anime, and i’m making screenshots. Also making storyboards in the separated notebook or something is very helpful.

Try to keep a variety in the frames, to not make it boring and to not tire the reader. Try to capture main important things, but don’t affraid to add more elements, which will make the frame more attractive, and won’t let to confuse.

For example:

Here is a part of page i posted above. There is Agi jumping from the roof. I could make a frame with only him while landing, but where he is landing and with who is he talking, so i made his landing in one frame with Mina, and some building behind them, where the action is.

Also i’ve added some dust around him and some short ‘dynamic strokes’ on the character, to capture that he’s landing right now when Mina is sitting on the grass XD

Well made speech bubbles are also very important.

The good font for it is for example AnimeAce (which i’m using in ‘The Reids’).

There is also a lot of good free comic fonts in the internet.

When you write a text in the bubble, make the center text, use capital/readable letters, try to make some free space around it, to make it more visible, and easier to catch/read for the reader. It will helps in reading the comic more fluently.

note: You can use small/italic letters for example if the character is singing, or cast a spell etc.

Other thing which is pain in the ass for me, are the long conversations between characters. I’ve had few moments of it in my comics. The conversation last 3-4 pages sometimes XD; Try to not make them too monotonous. Use various angles, poses, frames of characters. You can also capture only a part of place where the characters are, with the speech bubble in the frame.

Some examples:

Don’t affraid to use more (or much more) space on the page to capture most important situation/thing on the page. It makes good effect 8D

For big places I’m using two-pages picture. I don’t make them so often, cause i’m drawing big places rarely (cause i’m too lazy, and cause it needs to check hundereds of times that left page is left, and right is right XD ). This is an example of one of these pages:

Here is another one (one of my favourite, lol ) where Mina is hitted by ball, and rush into the room through the window. It’s the most detailed and dynamic part of the page, so i used more than half of space of the page for it. It also intensify the effect.

And there are two more examples with the Grand Mother. Her hair are very long and thy’re floating all the time, so I’m capturing it by using a lot of space on the page:

Now some other, random tips:

Don’t be affraid to use ruller. Not only for the backgrounds C:

If you’re not using too much screentones, or have pretty detailed background, it’s good to leave a little of empty space between character and background – just like you’re using white outline function in photoshop. It will make the character more visible, and it won’t dissapear somewhere in the background.

note: you can make the background by thiner pen/liner than the lines on the first plane.

To make dynamic scenes more dynamic-look, or capture quick movements, you can use for examples shadows made from lines. Also you can make it with the black/dark areas in the scene. Also use some old, good dynamic lines C:

okay, that’s all for today i think XD If you have any more questions, don’t hesistate to ask ❤

November 21, 2010

There is a long time, since nooby me published first comic. The first reaction when i saw it printed was ‘wtf?!’ because it looked lame XD

That’s all because i scanned it in grayscale and use random screentones (i mean i thought that was screentons lol XD ). I didn’t have any idea what b&w is and all things I should know. But nowadays, even i still make mistakes, my comics looks way better in print. I decided to share the basics, which are helpful to draw comic (i hope XD )

So first, the paper. For ‘Meago Saga’ vol. 1 and 2 i used normal paper for printers (A4 size). But now, thanks to Goku, i have a possibility to use something better (but still it is able to make a comic with normal paper XD ).

I’m writing about special comic paper (‘Deleter’ in this case):

It’s more thick than normal paper, and the amount of sheets is limited. In normal pack of printing paper there are about 500sheets, and here is 40 :C plus it’s way more expensive than normal paper, but i think i started to like it, so i’m thinking to buy more in the (but not near) future. It has some advantages:

It haz rullers and margins, and it helps to make straight frames, and not only. Generally it is helpful. Also the lines are in CYAN so it means, that these lines are not visible in black&white scanning.

Next thing is that it has more smooth texture than normal paper. You can see the difference between normal paper (left) and Deleter paper (right). It is more comfortable while drawing C:

Now, enough about the paper. Lets talk about tools. I prefer Ink and nib, cause it gives specific type of lines. But that doesn’t mean that i don’t use pens. I’m using them a lot ❤ but I have special requirements. They must be Ink pens, waterproof, non-blending. Another advantage of these kind of liners is the various size of tip/thickness. They are perfect for crosshatching, shading with lines, and for backgrounds C:

Recently i bought pretty nice ones ‘Millenium’ Liners

I have also sakura micron liners, they’re good too. (picture somewhere from the internet)

Uni-pins liners are fine too (even if they are not my favourite). Again picture from the internet

As i wrote earlier, I’m used to ink and nibs. I like them so much because i can make specific lines. Also, the ink black is deep and it’s not fading while erasing the pencil. Drawing by nibs needs a little practise, and it can be very annoying sometimes XD I have few, because i’m too lazy to change the nibs all the time.

My favourite is the little cheap one, Leonardt nib (red one on the left). On the picture below, you can see how the lines looks.

I am sorry, but i don’t have my desk for traditional drawing, and i don’t have much space to draw, i can’t rest my elbows anywhere, and generally there’s not very confortable here now, so the lines looks very rough and poor :C

Now i will show all scanning process.

First i have a picture (lol, not so pretty, sorry XD )

Next i’m erasing the pencil and put the picture in my scanner, and set the options to black&white and 600dpi (or 1200 if u want). As you see the cyan rullers and margins are totally invisible.

The lines are totally black, and there is no need (and possibility XD) to adjust the scan.

On the picture below, you can see how it looks when it is set on grayscale mode. Also, the lines are visible.

And now, there is how the picture looks scanned in black&white mode on 600dpi, 100% zoom. It is a bitmap. Doesn’t looks beautiful XD

But just now, i’m changing it into grayscale mode, and I’m changing the dpi from 600 t0 300 (600 may stay, but i like work on 300 XD )

And now how the picture looks. Much better:

It’s still not enough resized. I’m generally scaning the A4-B4 size pages and later, after changing into grayscale and 300dpi, I’m cropping the picture for the print size ( I’m printing in A5)

I will show the real example.

This is random (unimportant) page/s, made in traditional. I used Ink pens here, cause i forgot to buy new nibs and ink, and i was too lazy to do it, also i didn’t (and still don’t) have a space for drawing by ink and nibs :C

And now some examples of scanned parts of pages in B&W and after all actions I wrote above. The black is BLACK, there are no any black marker’s smudges, etc. Also 100% zoom (print image size)

And here some comparision between 100% zoom, and zoomed out images:

What about screentones?

Well i luckily had a possibity to get a photoshop plugin called “Powertone”. It’s really good tool, and very easy to use. All screentons are in bitmap, and there is a possibility to set them how i like. Also there is a big library of various screentones available (from classic dots, gradients and noises, to fruit patterns, sparkles, flowers, clouds, lines etc).

But before i’ve get powertone, I used exported (to bitmap and 300dpi) screentones from “manga studio” software. Many screentones were the same like in the powertone, and even some of them are not in powertone, so i’m still using some bitmaps from there.

Also, there are many sites with free screentones for download, even only some of them are good for printing comics, there are enough good for online ones ^^ I don’t remember now all the sites with screentons, but it just need to type ‘screentones download’ or something like that on google, and ta~damm XD

So yeah, If you’re making comic too, i wish you all the best with it, and some important things like, lots of patience (!), no rush, and determination ❤

August 26, 2010

hi gaizzz ;u;

Recently i’ve had some fun (?) and tried to develop the map from my universe (in “The Reids” and “Meago Saga”) i love geography, but i totally sux in giving specific names, especialy geographical OTL Yesterday i sit on my bed and i was like “omg that’s soo hard ;;A;; ”

I have few names already which i thought up earlier, but now when i’m building a map i have black hole in the head :C

I don’t have towns, cities, countries (except Seaside and Almania) and names for such things like mountains, seas, lakes etc.

-So if you like to create names plz help me a little? ;;3;;

i would like to collect many names and put them into my map ;u;

So this is the map (click to enlarge) this is cropped part of all continent, these lines are the frontiers of countres

July 13, 2010

I can’t draw my comic at this moment because of this stupid tablet problem, but i can make storyboards (or whatever it’s named in comics case) they’re very messy, but i know what’s where. As u see there’re also some sketches i made while thinking(!)

July 13, 2010

At first, this is my first entry on wordpress. I didn’t made new account on LiveJournal, cause i didn’t want to login out from Cookie factory and next login to meagocomics and vice versa. I didn’t work out all options yet. I need some time for it.

I decided to make another blog, but for my comic stuff and all extras (no personal stuff here, randoms etc). I will try to put here, some extras about making my comics, all explains, progresses etc. At this moment i don’t know how often i will update this blog, of course it depends on material i’ve get.

So. I noticed that so many ppl ask me about time/story line in my comics. That’s little complicated cause The Reids is a spin-off of my first comic Meago Saga. Both comic has the same charas (almost) but they’re focused on different ones.

I made an axis of time/story line to make it a little more clean, also i introduce the characters, and explain shortly who is where and for what:

And now characters:

Characters from MEAGO SAGA (there are screenshots from comic pages)

MEAGO

This is one of my first characters, also i took his name for my nickname. It’s a miraculous being (ppl called them demons) who was created from the sunshine by Lachimedea (aka The Grand Mother). Has ash-gray hair with ahoge and brown eyes. It’s the first demon who met Mina, and the most friendly. Meago loves sweets, he can do everything for it. You must watch out where you put cookies, bars, cakes etc cause when Meago notices it, may vanish very quickly. Also Meago has little fairy named Daffodil and they were friends a long before met Mina.

DAFFODIL

And this is little Daffodil (also named Daffo or Daf) She’s a little flower fairy, who grown up in the magic daffodil which grown in the Magic Garden where the faeries lives. Daffodil, like the rest of faeries is mute, but Meago understand her without no problem. She is about one palm height, has green hair and eyes, transparent pink wings, also she shines, but it depends on light.

MINA REID

Bob Reid and Emily Brown’s daughter. One of main characters in Meago Saga (she appeared in the first pages). This is the first human person who was confront with one of demons – Meago. She has long white hair and green eyes. After listen his story she decided to help him. Mostly because of her dad who is an archeologist and interesting in demons. But later she’s noticing that the all things are more serious than she thought. But anyway she wants to know the truth about demons and don’t want to leave Meago.

GENT

Meago’s brother. Generally demons aren’t siblings, even they was created by one person but He and Meago was created in the same day. Meago at day, and Gent at Night – from the moonlight. Gent has similar hairstyle like Meago but his hair is black. Also their eyes are different cause Gent has red. He’s more calm type and supposed to be the bad one in the series (mostly because of his look), but he only wants to get respect and feel better than others (i can’t write anything more about it because of spoilers)

AGI-HACKLE

But he’s called just Agi. He was created from the flame by Lachimedea a long time before Meago and Gent. Also flame is his battle skill. He has red and black hair and white eyes. Has an advantage that he remember everything from his past incarnations which it makes him super intelligent and familiar to most things. But besides of his wisdom he don’t show his emotions and it makes him very mystery. You never know when he’s hapy or worried, or never know what he’s thinking about. His life target is self-mastery that’s why he’s probably the most powerful demon. After meet Bob, he helpnig him with writing thesis about demons.

BOB REID

In Meago Saga he’s 36 and he’s an archeologist already. He’s living alone with his daughter Mina and his assistant Rina. He is carefree almost all the time. Becames quite popular and rich because of his achievements but he don’t acts like a celebrity. He’s the most domestic type. Parents, sister and his daughter is his all life (and later Emily again). Still has brown hair and green eyes (lol) but he started smoke and became less responsible in some situations.

RINA RAMON

Bob’s personal assistant. Bob employed Rina when he was 29 cause he needed more help with house duties, also needed someone who will keep an eye on everything. Her duties are cleaning, cooking etc (all house works) and helping with some bob’s stuff. She’s red-haired and has brown eyes. She’s very energetic and she do everything she must very well. Quickly became a family friend. But she also has some disadvantages – she loves being in love. At first it was Bob, later Meago (for a while) and now her biggest victim is Agi. Sometimes she can acts like a madman. Also loves shopping and all girly things.

EMILY BROWN

In Meago Saga she’s 36 like Bob, but they’re separated most of the time. She appears in second volume when she decides to back to the Reid family after she met her daughter Mina. She is still childish, and loves draw but life experience taught her some new things. She’s also trying to reconcile herself with her current age. There are not too much Emily in Meago Saga that’s why i’m drawing The Reids.

LITHIA

The bad one. She’s an underground princess who’s living under the earth surface. Has black short hair, gold eyes and black demonic wings which she can hide. She’s supervising Gent and she want to be sure that he’s executing her plans. She’s giving him instructions how to take control over the world what will give him respect of all humanity. But of course she has interest in it.

LACHIMEDEA

aka The Grand Mother. An immaterial being who looking like a young woman. She’s the creator of all demons. She’s invisible for ordinary people. Demons only can meet her in their minds (but not every demon). She’s supposed to be calm and very carefully of her beings but it’s not 100% sure cause she’s also very mystery character. Her motivations aren’t known yet.

THE REIDS

BOB REID

18 years old Bob. Has adventurer soul and is very carefree. Loves trips, foreign cultures, geography, history… and everything. He loves study, cause all world is fascinating him. This makes him very smart and one of the best students in his high school. Besides of being inteligent he’s also very social and has got many friends. He has very strict lifestyle. Every day of the week is reserved for something different (swimming pool, archeologic club etc) and he living with his own schedule to have a time for everything. He hate wasting time and monotony. Also he’s very impatient and can’t adapt to other people’s lifestyle (like Emily’s ). He’s also quite demanding and it’s hard to keep up with him.

EMILY REID

18 years old Emily. has short curly white hair and big green eyes. She’s calm, and very very sensitive. Generally she’s very shy, but when she trust someone then can be pretty loud and resolute. Loves draw and she draw all the time and nothing besides of that. Emily don’t have a lot of friends. She simply dont trust the others. Has only one best briend – Paola and it’s enough for her. Secretly loves Bob, but she don’t want to admit that because he is unattainable for her and she don’t want to discredit herself. Emily don’t know what hard work is but anyway she hates her life and feel like a victim because she thinks that everybody is against her and she often acts like little kid. She’s looking for someone whom she will can trust and make safe future.

PAOLA ROBSON

Emily’s best firend. She’s only person who Emily trusts and opens. Has dark brown hair and blue eyes. Paola know it so she’s trying her best in being friend. She knows Emily’s weird behaviors and humours but she’s tolerating that cause she knows that Emily don’t have anybody else. But besides of that Paola and Emily realy loves each other and they’re spending much time together.

JARED ‘SPIKY’ HIGINS

One of Bob’s best friends. A sceptical crammer. He and Bob are competing together to get the best marks as they can. Has dark blonde hair and brown eyes and has a twin sister. Jared likes play in online games where he has nickname Spiky.